Dearest e-votees-
This week's gospel text is the familiar one of Peter walking on water.
Much is made of the fact that as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could do anything.
The truth is it was a crazy request from Peter and there was no way he could ever permanently fix his gaze on Jesus.
It is more interesting to me to think about why Jesus granted this request from Peter in the first place.
Peace,
Karl
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22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33, NRSV
This account of Peter and Jesus is just strange. First off, Jesus provoked the encounter by walking by them on the sea. Jesus could have walked around them out of sight or swam under them or flew over them. There are as many ways as you can imagine for Jesus to get where he was going undetected. The fact that he chose to walk within eyesight of the apostles is intriguing.
Generally when people see someone as a ghost there is offered some proof that they are, indeed, not a ghost. They might eat some food. They might invite someone to touch their wounds. There is some means of demonstrating that they are not a ghost.
In this account Peter blurts out that if it is truly Jesus he should be invited out on the water. This is a silly test. If the one Peter is talking to is not Jesus this could end very badly with him plummeting into the sea. As it is it didn't end too well for Peter anyway.
Jesus says to "Come!" and Peter makes it for a little while--and then he plummets into the sea. This is no surprise to those of us who know Peter. And this was surely no surprise to Jesus who intimately knows Peter. The only question left in my mind is why did Jesus provoke and let play out this doomed enterprise?
It reminds me of a child threatening to run away. They are looking to get the parent's to react and to try to stop them. The parents who help the child pack their bundle of possessions and send them on their way are calling the bluff of their child. They know full well where their child is headed and no permanent harm will come to pass. Jesus is playing the part of the parent. Peter is, in an award worthy fashion, playing the role of the child preparing to run away. Jesus plays along to allow Peter to learn a lesson.
The lesson is not about keeping eyes on Jesus through thick and thin that failure may never occur. The lesson is that Peter has no business being out on the water. But even in the midst of Peter's reckless and hazardous decisions Jesus brings salvation into play. When all was said and done Peter was soaking wet. Jesus was dry and in the boat. The disciples were focussing on the true source of power and salvation.
I wonder what silly and reckless things we will choose to engage in this week. May Jesus keep us safe from our ill-conceived adventures. May all the glory and honor be given to God as we dry off from our misadventures.
God, help us trust you to do what we cannot and should not. And help us to rest in your gracious and saving ways. Amen.
This week's gospel text is the familiar one of Peter walking on water.
Much is made of the fact that as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could do anything.
The truth is it was a crazy request from Peter and there was no way he could ever permanently fix his gaze on Jesus.
It is more interesting to me to think about why Jesus granted this request from Peter in the first place.
Peace,
Karl
------------
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This account of Peter and Jesus is just strange. First off, Jesus provoked the encounter by walking by them on the sea. Jesus could have walked around them out of sight or swam under them or flew over them. There are as many ways as you can imagine for Jesus to get where he was going undetected. The fact that he chose to walk within eyesight of the apostles is intriguing.
Generally when people see someone as a ghost there is offered some proof that they are, indeed, not a ghost. They might eat some food. They might invite someone to touch their wounds. There is some means of demonstrating that they are not a ghost.
In this account Peter blurts out that if it is truly Jesus he should be invited out on the water. This is a silly test. If the one Peter is talking to is not Jesus this could end very badly with him plummeting into the sea. As it is it didn't end too well for Peter anyway.
Jesus says to "Come!" and Peter makes it for a little while--and then he plummets into the sea. This is no surprise to those of us who know Peter. And this was surely no surprise to Jesus who intimately knows Peter. The only question left in my mind is why did Jesus provoke and let play out this doomed enterprise?
It reminds me of a child threatening to run away. They are looking to get the parent's to react and to try to stop them. The parents who help the child pack their bundle of possessions and send them on their way are calling the bluff of their child. They know full well where their child is headed and no permanent harm will come to pass. Jesus is playing the part of the parent. Peter is, in an award worthy fashion, playing the role of the child preparing to run away. Jesus plays along to allow Peter to learn a lesson.
The lesson is not about keeping eyes on Jesus through thick and thin that failure may never occur. The lesson is that Peter has no business being out on the water. But even in the midst of Peter's reckless and hazardous decisions Jesus brings salvation into play. When all was said and done Peter was soaking wet. Jesus was dry and in the boat. The disciples were focussing on the true source of power and salvation.
I wonder what silly and reckless things we will choose to engage in this week. May Jesus keep us safe from our ill-conceived adventures. May all the glory and honor be given to God as we dry off from our misadventures.
God, help us trust you to do what we cannot and should not. And help us to rest in your gracious and saving ways. Amen.
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